THE 153 FISH

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The 153 Fish.”

POSSIBLE POINTS TO REFLECT UPON

Today’s gospel opens up several points or issues we can reflect upon.

1) We can meditate or reflect or pray about the idea: Without Jesus we catch nothing; with Jesus we catch everything.

2) The Lord Jesus is always there on the shore of our life—in the dark—the Son, the Dawn, about to rise and take away our darkness.

3) Forgiveness: there is a charcoal fire there. As commentators point out, the only other place we hear about a charcoal fire was in Jerusalem at the moment Peter denies Jesus. So this gospel will be a moment of forgiveness for Peter.

4) The Church’s Mission is to be Open to all. And this is the issue I would like to think and talk about. I always find that number 153 very interesting.

THE NUMBER 153

There are various interpretations on why John’s gospel tells us that there were 153 fish.

Obviously, it’s a symbol of something. Yet, nobody really knows for sure what the 153 means. I read different commentators and I noticed some explanations given. Most commentators say we don’t know what the 153 stands for.

One theory is that 153 is the sum total of the first 17 numbers added up, that is, 1+2+3+4+5+6+7 etc. It might be a Pythagorean calculation to which we no longer have the key. 17 would represent perfection or wholeness. One can take 153 dots and put them in an equilateral triangle with 17 dots at the base line and on each side with the remaining dots in the middle. 153 dots laid out that way would make a perfect triangle.

What I like best is the thing that some think that 153 represents the number of species of fish that there were in the world at that time. The learned poet Oppianus Cilix said there were 153 kinds of fish.  Peter and the disciples are called to reach out to all the world—to go fishing for all the different kinds of people.

The call to reach out to all: Peter and the whole church is called to reach out to all people—to catch all people and then to celebrate together with the Risen Christ in the great meal, the great banquet!

I believe that is a good theme for a homily that one can take from this 21^st chapter of St. John, especially since they cut out the 3 “Do you love me” scene in today’s text. That can be found in the 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year C.  If we use it, we can connect it better to Peter’s  3 fold denial of Christ.

The theme for this gospel is probably mission and ministry, because it’s here at the end of the Gospel.

The worldwide mission of the church is to go out there and bring in everyone—every kind of person—numbers of people—to form a pyramid of people, a perfect triangle of people, to become like God.  We’re made in his image. We are made in their image and likeness. So mission—we are sent fishing—to bring into the  Kingdom of God—all the peoples.

The Kingdom is like a dragnet thrown into the sea which takes in every kind of person. (Cf. Matthew 13:47 or check Rev. 7:9 where it mentions bringing together every tribe, tongue, and people.)

I’d like to reflect on an aspect of ministry: being open to everyone or to put it negatively, not to exclude anyone - especially people we judge or perceive as “uuuuuh!”

AQUARIUMS: BALTIMORE - BOSTON - CONEY ISLAND - CAMDEN

Aren’t people, especially kids, but even adults moved, excited, wowed a bit, when they visit an aquarium?  I’ve been to aquariums in Baltimore, Boston, Coney Island, and Camden, N.J.

One soon sees that there are more than 153 kinds of fish. You might even see more than 153 kinds of fish in just one tank. I love to watch people watch fish in an aquarium—especially kids. Wow.   I hear kids spotting an interesting fish and elbowing another kid with a “Look at that one. Wooooo!”

MESSAGES

In ministry, we spot all kinds of folks. We have to be in the pool with all kinds of people.  We have to deal with sharks, piranhas and barracudas’ - as well as quiet but colorful other types of tropical fish.

It’s difficult to be in communion with all.

With Christ, the stranger on the beach, it’s much easier.

Without Christ we struggle all through the night in the dark - catching nothing.

In the gospel there are only 7 disciples. It’s not the whole apostolic college of followers.

IXTUS: the fish - becomes a symbol for Christ. It can be seen in the  catacombs in Rome, on tombstones and today on bumpers.

In catacombs of St. Sebastian 2nd half of 2nd century in Rome

We can compare this story in John with the story of Luke and the catching of fish. In both accounts they have caught nothing. Many specialists ask if both stories are about one experience. John has it after the resurrection. Luke has it at the beginning of the call. Benoit likes Luke because they already gave up their nets.

“It is the Lord!” John is the one who spots Jesus. He seems to have a special spiritual sense - more spiritual insight - than Peter.

Peter is painted as the awkward one - impetuous - jumps in the water - leaps out of the boat. His reactions are instinctive. The others stay in boat till they get to shore. If everyone was like Peter, maybe the fish would have been lost.

In John’s version of this fish story, the Eucharist - manna - multiplication of the loaves - is feathered. Jesus gives life.

It’s the 3^rd appearance of Jesus.

Notice that the net is not broken. The strain of mass conversions took place and effected local communities - yet the kingdom of God has room for all. Many - but unbroken

CONCLUSION

The bottom line is that all are called - including the strange rangers.